How Have You Struggled?

How about you take care of vets the government sent to war and don't let them kill themselves in the fuckin VA parking lot...

Where does one start.. I have struggled with depression now for years. I jave also had to seek help on multiple occasions. Seeking help is sometimes the only option one has. I have noticed that there are not many resources outside the VA to ask for help. I could go on a long rant about the so called Patriot BS we help veterans in need BS non profits out there. But when a veteran is struggling mentally and financially.. Just asking for help is hard enough. But unfortunately unless you jave visible injuries then the so called veterans supporters will not assist with anything. You can try the VFW and the American legion.. But if you are not a veitnaim Veteran you are out of place. Our younger veterans walk into those places and it's filled with 80 year old smoking and drinking beer. Not very inviting. So you call the VA and they tell you to try the food banks or the VFW.. But as far as financial help you're alone. We need a way to reach the younger veterans and actually help them.

The roof fell-in on me, and I went out under medical. In processing, saw many experiencing anxiety about returning to life apart from their group. Saw an experimental program to evoke boldness, as a possible help.
I knew who I was, but felt I had to relinquish my control to unknown sources. A few suicide attempts which were (thank You Jesus) unsuccessful. Big doses of meds were helpful in a few ways. They kept me from allowing the destructive thoughts to completely possess me, and as an unexpected bonus, to do all that I could to develop my spiritual and physical abilities, which would decrease a need for the mega doses. Of course counseling, which let's you speak your perception of the problems, can in itself undo many , and a Doctor's simple response like "that's crazy", gives a choice to continue validating insanity, or to regroup.
One of the earlier treatments of a cold shower has been a great help.
Seeking ultimate Truth is a blessing that is worth all the work of divesting of lies (a continual battle), and returning to the person the Lord created. God Bless

You mean the “services” that don’t really do anything when you really need help? What’s the point of having “resources” when you reach out they have their hands tied and can’t really DO anything to assist with resolving situations that cause mental health breakdowns??? It’s amazing to me that government hands out loads of assistance to welfare or immigrants yet limits help to CITIZENS that have SERVED!!! If I am still breathing today it is because of the good Lord and only because of Him have I survived all these years…….

Most of my struggles were pre-military: poverty, homelessness, 3 alcoholic "fathers", birth defects, ADHD. Post-Navy I got master's on GI Bill, enhanced pension, many other benefits. I now run Veterans Support Group, part of VA-facilitated veteran suicide prevention coalition. Published video in PSYCHIATRIC TIMES & reducing vet suicide article in COMBAT STRESS Magazine. Can share these for free with any vet who contacts me at [login to see] .

Stop putting these veterans in harms way without a true declaration of war. Then when you have a declaration of war, bomb the hell out of the enemy before you send them in harms way. This is the absolute root cause Korea, Vietnam, Granda, Desert Storm.shield and many more have had no declaration of war. With No declaration, no soldiers are required. PERIOD.
If you do not follow this prescribed methodology, then expect less than healthy physical and mental attitudes. The soldiers/Vets will always exhibit PTSD depending on the varied degree of intensity in the war. Remember the Tet offensive (Cayson). Their was no declaration and much PTSD. Declare War and destroy the enemy. Or don't play war.

I'm long-time sober, 30+ years without a drink or a drug, and would not still be on this planet without the help I get from AA, which I was originally introduced to while on active duty at Fort Hood in 1986. Yes, that's six years from my first AA meeting to sobriety. I have a very hard head.

I hit a new bottom with money and debt in 2008 and experienced suicidal thoughts between 2010 and 2012, more than I ever had before, including during active alcoholism and drug addiction. It again took six years -- including two years as a homelessness veteran and a near-fatal illness that was 80-90% preventable had I not had a death wish -- before I gained freedom from incurring new unsecured debt, which is called solvency in DA (Debtors Anonymous), a complete and total game changer for me.

This second recovery not only dealt with my money problems which included not only my imprudent propensity for borrowing but also the underlying symptoms like spending too much and earning too little and the underlying feelings of worthlessness and obsession with a lifetime of professional and personal failures, financial and otherwise. Let's not forget my obsession with money and stuff too, especially stuff that other people and I felt entitled to.

Nine years into my solvency, I'm happier than I've ever been, still deeply engaged in my recovery from both alcoholism and compulsive debting. Thanks to recovery and the 12 Steps / 12 Traditions, I haven't had a suicidal thought in more than a decade. I invite you to take a look at https://debtorsanonymous.org/ to see if this might help you too.

The Dr's at VA say they are listening to you but they are not really listening,,,
At the end of the day, they make the final decision on your Health, you have no input on the course of action on your health,,either take the plan of action they have or don't,,,if you become a a pain or start complaining,,,they Label you as something is wrong with you..

Only because you're fighting for your Health.....

VA Mental health groups, VA walking groups, VA bicycling groups, NVGAG groups.

I was a patient for decades. I was in and out of VA facilities as well as civilian facilities. I did try to commit suicide and I dod want to die. After decades of appointments and medications and therapy. After being sent to the #1 place in the entire country, I was still struggling to be a contributing member of society, struggling to be a husband and to be a father. I was told I had life-long diseases and mental diagnosis and my best hope was that one day I could become a functional adult. None of the mental health meds worked and the therapy and talk groups helped but it was a bandaid instead of a cure. It got so bad the VA started writing me every year on my birthday because they were just as shocked as my family, that I made it another year. But everything changed in an instant. I wanted God to heal me and what happened was miraculous truth, Jesus delivered the spirit of suicide off of me. My medical records show that I was one way for decades and completely different after 1 day. You can't medicate or therapize something that is spiritual. Deliverance is real. Now we travel the world and help people and veterans get delivered of suicide! God said He would send me into the VA to help one day and I pray that day is soon. I do not want the enemy to take out any more of my brothers and sisters. In Jesus name suicide will bow amd be broken off of many veterans.
I know what it is like to go through the program for sooo long. I now know what it is like to be free and alive in Christ Jesus. I thank God for each and every one of you and pray to God that you understand there is hope, and His name is Jesus! ooh rah